Uxbridge v SACFC MWY, Weds 17 Oct Allied Cup, 7.45

[bandicoot]

Youth are back in action at Uxbridge FC in the Allied Counties Youth League Cup, 7.45pm ko at Honeycroft, Uxbridge.

[Hatboy]

In a game of several twists and turns on Wednesday, St Albans City’s U18s suffered heartbreak and exited the Allied Counties Cup on penalties.

After another two week layoff the young Saints travelled to Uxbridge for a second round match in the Allied Counties League Cup. Overall it was a much improved performance and despite the rain sodden pitch the youth made an encouraging start. Good work by Matt Taylor in the centre of the park and a pinpoint cross from Andre Humphrey on the left wing, resulted in James Kaloczi coming close to scoring on 9 minutes. Unfortunately his header just went topside of the bar. In reply four minutes later, Uxbridge won a freekick just outside the box and a firm header struck the top of the post and was scrambled clear. The match was evenly balanced but a foul on right winger Abo Eisa in a central position gave City a perfect opportunity to open the scoring on 17 minutes. From just outside the box Elliot Bailey calmly stepped up to take the freekick and his shot scooted round the outside of the wall nestling neatly inside the left hand post, one nil to City. The home side were quick to respond and piled players into the centre of the park which resulted in their equaliser 8 minutes later. Warunge found space on the edge of City’s area and his low shot just evaded keeper Warren Bell’s outstretched hand. Despite Bailey hitting the post there were no more goals before half-time.

In the second half Uxbridge initially pressurised and both Harry Carr and Kaloczi saw yellow. However this week the City defence marshalled by Laurence Wroe with fullbacks Myles Scott and Stuart Henderson was steady and much improved. As the match wore on City looked the more dangerous side but just couldn’t find the breakthrough and were unfortunate when two penalties weren’t seen by the officials. The first a trip on Abo Eisa bearing down on goal and the second a blatant handball in front of goal. The latter incident resulted in an Uxbridge breakaway which was only just thwarted by Wroe deflecting the goalbound shot onto the bar. After an unexplained extra 6 minutes play and a 1-1 scoreline, the teams headed for extra-time.

With extra-time came City’s last substitution, Hafid Bounyafe making his City debut and also a change of formation as Joe Shanley switched to centreback for the admirable Wroe who departed with a groin strain. City carved out several chances and finally broke the stalemate as substitute Cieran Yapp outpaced the defence and stabbed the ball through the keeper’s legs for 2-1. He was unlucky not to convert a second to put the match to bed. As the time ran out City looked comfortable but with a freekick for a City offside, Uxbridge threw everyone bar their keeper Oualah forward. The ball was launched 50 yards into the box and as the players ran towards goal the ball skimmed off the wet turf, off keeper Bell onto the bar and scrambled into the net. A last minute reprieve for Uxbridge and final 2-2 scoreline. With City’s hearts broken, Uxbridge made the most of the penalty shootout lottery winning 3-1, Kalozci being the solitary Saint to score.

Overall it was far better City performance against strong opposition. The lads hope for better joy as they resume their league campaign against Reading Town at Clarence Park on Monday 22 October, 7.45pm ko.


City: Bell, Scott Henderson, Kaloczi, Wroe, McCarthy, Carr, Taylor, Bailey, Eisa, Humphrey.
Subs: Shanley for McCarthy (69 mins), Yapp for Humphrey (83), Bounyafe for Wroe (91, aet)

Uxbridge: Oualah, Barrett, Raphael, Madigan, Mendoza, Wambeek, Igbinyemi, Murphy, Warunge, Barton, Gillespie.
Subs: Shillingford for Warunge, Edwards for

Goals – City: Bailey (17), Yapp (100). Uxbridge: Warunge (25), Edwards (118).
Bookings - City: Carr (52), Kaloczi (60). Uxbridge: Wambeek (21), Barrett (101), Edwards (108).